Navigating the Pitfalls of Writing: A Guide to Avoiding Common Errors

The Importance of Editing in Writing

Before submitting your manuscript to a publisher, it's essential to ensure it's as error-free as possible. A manuscript laden with mistakes is akin to attending a job interview in inappropriate attire; it detracts from your qualifications and professionalism. Publishers invest considerable resources in each book they accept, and presenting a clean manuscript can make yours stand out among similarly themed submissions.

Utilize Built-in Tools

The first step in self-editing should be to use the spelling and grammar checkers available in most word processors. These tools can catch a multitude of common errors. However, they are not infallible, and additional resources can be invaluable. For example, the website "Common Errors in English" (Washington State University) and "Words That Are Often Confused" (Orcon) provide comprehensive lists of frequent mistakes to watch out for.

Frequent Writing Mistakes to Correct

Here are some of the most common writing mistakes that can hinder your manuscript's success:

Misuse of Contractions and Possessives

• It's vs. Its: "It's" is a contraction for "it is," while "its" indicates possession.
• Who's vs. Whose: "Who's" is a contraction for "who is," and "whose" is possessive.
• You're vs. Your: "You're" is a contraction for "you are," and "your" is possessive.
• They're, There, Their: "They're" is a contraction for "they are," "there" indicates a place, and "their" is possessive.
• There's vs. Theirs: "There's" is a contraction for "there is," and "theirs" is possessive.

Plurals and Possessives

• Plural nouns simply add an "s" (e.g., cats), while possessive nouns add an apostrophe before the "s" (e.g., cat's).

Commonly Confused Words

• Bath vs. Bathe: "Bath" is a noun, and "bathe" is the verb.
• Breath vs. Breathe: "Breath" is a noun, and "breathe" is the verb.
• Clothes vs. Clothe: You wear "clothes," and when you dress, you "clothe" yourself.

Verb Tense Consistency

Ensure that verb tenses are consistent within sentences and throughout the narrative.

Pronoun Agreement

• I vs. Me, He vs. Him: Use "I" and "he" as subjects, and "me" and "him" as objects.

Redundancy and Wordiness

• Eliminate unnecessary words and phrases that do not add meaning or clarity to your writing.

Dialogue Tags

Minimize the use of "he said/she said" and allow the dialogue to indicate the speaker when possible.

Dangling Modifiers

Ensure that modifiers are clearly and correctly linked to the words they modify to avoid confusion.

Punctuation

Pay close attention to the correct use of periods, commas, and quotation marks.

Michael LaRocca, an experienced editor and author, emphasizes the importance of these corrections. His website (Free Reads) was recognized by WRITER'S DIGEST as one of The 101 Best Websites For Writers in 2001 and 2002. LaRocca's insights are based on his extensive editing experience and his own writing career, which includes multiple published novels.

Conclusion

By addressing these common writing mistakes, authors can significantly improve their manuscript's chances of being published. Remember, the goal is to make your work as "ready to read" as possible before it lands on a publisher's desk. Take the time to self-edit with care, and consider seeking professional editing services if needed. Your attention to detail will pay off when your polished manuscript stands out from the rest.